Gabriel Attal pays tribute to the two gendarmes “who fell to restore order”
The Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal, paid tribute on Friday to the two gendarmes killed during the violence in New Caledonia, “fell to restore order, protect our fellow citizens”during a ceremony in Maisons-Alfort (Val-de-Marne).
“Two gendarmes fell to restore order, to protect our fellow citizens. Two gendarmes fell, wearing the uniform of France in the face of riots and violence”declared the head of government. “We will draw from your example the strength to continue the mission”added Gabriel Attal, facing the coffins of the two missing gendarmes.
Chief Marshal Nicolas Molinari (22 years old) and Major Xavier Salou (46 years old) were killed respectively on May 15 and 16 in the archipelago, the first by a shot in the head in intervention, the second by a accidental shooting of one of his colleagues while handling a weapon.
They are among the seven victims of the violence which has shaken New Caledonia for ten days, against a backdrop of protest against an electoral reform rejected locally by the separatists. “Today, in New Caledonia, the mission continues”affirmed Gabriel Attal, recalling that “it is indeed order that must be reestablished, and reestablished quickly before the situation degenerates further”.
“The situation today remains extremely fragile in New Caledonia, anything can cause it to falter”he added, advocating “appeasement”. “This appeasement, this dialogue, is what the President of the Republic is working towards by going on site, listening to the actors, creating the conditions for dialogue”he concluded, before placing the military medal and the badge of knight of the Legion of Honor on the coffins of the two gendarmes.